Ernest E. West

Infobox Military Person
name= Ernest E. West
born= birth date and age|1931|9|2
died=
placeofbirth= Russell, Kentucky
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption= Medal of Honor recipient Ernest West
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Army
serviceyears=
rank= Private First Class
unit=Company L, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
battles= Korean War
awards= Medal of Honor Purple Heart

Ernest E. West (born September 2, 1931) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 12, 1952.

He was raised in an orphanage at the Methodist Children's Home in Versailles, Kentucky. He returned to visit the home a few years after receiving the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company L, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Sataeri, Korea, October 12, 1952

Entered service at: Wurtland Ky. Born: September 2, 1931, Russell, Kentucky

G.O. No.: 7, January 29, i954

Citation:

:Pfc. West distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. He voluntarily accompanied a contingent to locate and destroy a reported enemy outpost. Nearing the objective, the patrol was ambushed and suffered numerous casualties. Observing his wounded leader lying in an exposed position, Pfc. West ordered the troops to withdraw, then braved intense fire to reach and assist him. While attempting evacuation, he was attacked by 3 hostile soldiers employing grenades and small-arms fire. Quickly shifting his body to shelter the officer, he killed the assailants with his rifle, then carried the helpless man to safety. He was critically wounded and lost an eye in this action. but courageously returned through withering fire and bursting shells to assist the wounded. While evacuating 2 comrades, he closed with and killed 3 more of the foe. Pfc. West's indomitable spirit, consummate valor, and intrepid actions inspired all who observed him, reflect the highest credit on himself, and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.cite web
accessdate=2007-12-31
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/koreanwar.html
title = "ERNEST E. WEST" entry
work = Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War
date = July 16, 2007
publisher= CMH, U.S. Army]

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients

Notes

References

*cite web
accessdate=2007-12-31
url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/koreanwar.html
title = "ERNEST E. WEST" entry
work = Medal of Honor Recipients: Korean War
date = July 16, 2007
publisher= Center of Military History (CMH), United States Army